Kerala Nature & Pilgrimage Tour

Day 1: Trivandrum / Cochin airport – Kovalam (20kms/ 30minuts drive)

1. Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
   Pass by
   On arrival at Trivandrum or Cochin airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel in Kovalam (hotels check in time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to rooms availability).

Day 2: Kovalam

1. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
   2h
   Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Trivandrum. Visit Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple the guardian deity of the city. The Maharaja of Travancore till date pays homage at the Padmanabhan Swamy Temple that enshrines the image of Lord Vishnu reclining under the hood of "Anantha" the great serpent. Also visit Attukal Temple a Hindu religious shrine.
2. Napier Museum
   4m · Admission ticket included
   The city has a rich tradition of nurturing art and culture since ancient times, witness same by visiting Napier Museum, Kuthira Malika & Sri Chitra Art Gallery. Drive thru famous beaches which include Shankumugham Beach, Kovalam Beach, Vizhinjam lighthouse & Light House Beach Road.

Day 3: Kovalam – Kanyakumari (85kms/ 2hrs)

1. Kanyakumari Tirupati Temple
   2h
   Breakfast at hotel, drive to Kanyakumari check in at hotel.
2. Shri Mahaveerswami Jain Mandir Dadawadi
   5h · Admission ticket included
   Later city tour visit Kanyakumari Temple one of the 108 Shakti Peetha in Hindu mythology. The temple is one of the major Hindu temples across India and is mentioned in almost all the ancient Hindu scriptures. Gandhi Mandapam and Vivekananda Memorial, watching sun set from here is the big attraction.
3. Padmanabhapuram Palace
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Padmanabhapuram Palace, a temple town, located 11km from the city of Kanyakumari. The temples here are built in the distinctive Dravidian style and are adorned with massive gopurams which are a common characteristic of all the Dravidian temples. Kanyakumari is an excellent shopping destination for buying various seashell items.

Day 4: Kanyakumari – Rameshwaram (325kms / 8hrs)

1. Rameswaram
   4h
   After breakfast, drive to Rameshwaram, check in at hotel.
2. Arulmigu Ramanatha Swamy Temple
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Rameshwaram is an island separated from the mainland by a small strait of water. Rameshwaram is famous for the Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Rama who, it is believed, had descended on its shores and built a bridge across the Palk Strait to reach Lanka in his quest to rescue Sita from Ravana. Additionally, the temple is famous for being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Siva. Lord Rama had constructed a Siva linga in order to offer thanks to the Lord after killing Ravana. Hence, the temple is a sacred site for both Shaivites and Vaishnavites. The grandest part of the temple is the 1219 m pillared corridor consisting of 3.6m high granite pillars, richly carved and well proportioned. Built in the 12th century AD, the temple with its awe-inspiring corridors are the longest in India.

Day 5: Rameshwaram – Madurai (175kms/ 4hrs)

1. Adam's Bridge - Rama Setu
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Early morning visit to Adam's Bridge the name given to the chain of reefs, sandbanks and islets that almost connects Sri Lanka with India. According to legend, this is the series of stepping stones used by the monkey army, lead by Hanuman to cross the ocean in a bid to rescue Sita from the clutch of Ravana.
2. Madurai
   Pass by
   Breakfast at hotel drive to Madurai, check in at hotel.
3. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
   3h
   Later city tour visit the Meenakshi Sundareshwar, one of the largest temple complexes in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures there, the temple is absolutely absorbing with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostration of countless devotees and glittering market stalls. Later visit Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple, Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple. Also visit the Tirumal Nayak’s Palace; a highly decorative monument. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 – foot high stone pillar, still stands. In the evening visit the famous Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple to attend the Aarti (Prayers) witnessing interesting rituals and ceremonies.

Day 6: Madurai – Periyar (140kms/ 4hrs)

1. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
   2m
   Breakfast at hotel drive to Periyar, check in at Jungle Resort.
2. Green Park Spices
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Afterwards take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. You could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices.

Day 7: Periyar – Munnar (110kms/ 3hrs)

1. Periyar Tiger Reserve
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Breakfast at hotel sunrise, explore the forest by boat or by trekking through the forest, you may have opportunity to see the herd of Elephant bathing in the river.
   
   Animals found here include elephant, gaur, wild boars and birds like ibis and grey heron. Take a boating at Periyar Lake to view animals with a bit of extra luck we may be able to see the rare tiger as well.
2. Munnar
   2h
   Later drive to Munnar, check in at hotel.
3. Munnar
   3h
   During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make it the favorite tourist places. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range expose its beauty.
   Visit a tea estate and have tea testing tour.

Day 8: Munnar

1. Pothamedu Viewpoint
   Pass by
   After breakfast, visit to Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks.
2. Mattupetty Dam
   Pass by
   Mattupetty dam and its reservoir, this concrete gravity dam is built between the hill ranges and it is used mainly for water storage for hydroelectric projects.
3. Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Eravikulam National Park, The Nilgiri Tahr can be observed at close quarters here. This park established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiri Ibex) is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world.
4. Echo Point
   Pass by
   Echo Point, go there and scream as loud as you can and wait for a minute. You can hear your echo back!

Day 9: Munnar – Kumarakom (150kms/ 3hrs)

1. Kumarakom
   4h
   After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom check in at hotel.
2. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
   4h · Admission ticket included
   The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks is a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.

Day 10: Kumarakom – Alleppey (Backwaters tours through sailing boat to Alleppey)

1. Alleppey Backwaters
   6h
   After breakfast, embarks at the houseboat. The day for the journey of backwaters in the boat, through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters of Alleppey. While sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget.
   
   The Chinese fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links, are also found on the way. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land, you also enjoy fishing from the houseboats, evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. The Houseboats have generated electricity; sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a Chef, and Driver. Dinner and overnight at the houseboat.

Day 11: Alleppey – Cochin (60kms/ 1.30hrs)

1. Kochi (Cochin)
   4h
   After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and drive to Cochin, check in at hotel.
2. Fort Kochi
   3h
   Later city tour of the Cochin visit; Fort Cochin famous for Chinese fishing nets, scenic beaches and architectural style of ancient buildings. At St. Frances Church see the town of Vasco da Gama. The Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568 in the old part of Mattancherry Town, is one of the oldest lively synagogues. Mattancherry "Dutch" Palace has an incomparable collection of huge Kerala Temple murals, exhibits & portraits. You may also visit the famous Hill Palace Museum, the largest archaeological and heritage museum in Kerala. Bolgatty Palace is the oldest living Dutch palaces outside Holland, now converted into a heritage hotel.
3. Great K V Kathakali Center
   2h · Admission ticket included
   In the evening, enjoy the Kathakali Dance, one of India's most famous Classical dances with lavish costumes, exotic makeup & Masks intensifying the beauty of the dancer’s intricate moments.

Day 12: Cochin – Departure (flight)

1. Kochi (Cochin)
   Pass by
   Breakfast at hotel, as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

Pickup details

As per your flight schedule, coordinated pickup will be arranged from Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) or Cochin International Airport (COK). A private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle will be provided for the entire tour. Pickup is also available from all hotels, residences, and other accommodations in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) or Kochi (Cochin). Travelers arriving at either airport will be welcomed and assisted by our office executive. Please provide your hotel or flight details at least 3 days before the tour. Office executive and driver contact details will be shared one day prior to the tour.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels